Ray 'Chopper' Cooper returns to Rugby Roots

RAY Cooper - formerly known to folk fans as Chopper from Oysterband - returns to Rugby Roots for a third time on Monday May 20.

The singer-songwriter plays the Merchants Inn as part of his first major solo tour of England, having just completed tours of Germany and Denmark.

Over the years with Oysterband, Ray recorded 19 albums and toured 27 countries. Last year they won three BBC2 Folk awards for best group, as well as best album and best traditional track for their album Ragged Kingdom, recorded with singer June Tabor.

But despite their on-going success Ray decided to leave the band in February, saying simply ‘I want to sing’.

In Rugby Ray will be performing both songs from his debut solo album Tales of Love War and Death by Hanging, as well as previewing new songs as yet unrecorded.

Ray accompanies himself on cello and guitar.

Rugby Roots’s Richard Barnes said: “Obviously Ray is best known for his work with Oysterband but his solo work wonderful.

"It’s is very much his own style of folk music, reflecting the album title Tales of Love War and Death by Hanging. It’s sometimes dark, sometimes times warm. It’s also often incorporates flavours of the folk music of Sweden, where he has lived for a number of years."

Tickets are £12 available from Rugby music shop Sounds, direct from Rugby Roots online via www.rugbyroots.com

or by calling .

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